July 10, 2007

I’ve been reflecting on the 116th Psalm.  It’s good for celebrating the generosity of God; it’s also a good reminder during times that I’m feeling neglected or sorry for myself. 

Tonight we gave Trevan his first post-birth bath in the hotel sink. 

 

May not look like it in the photo above, but he actually seemed to like the warm water.  The cold air? …not so much.  As I held him, these words came to mind:  

“What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord” (Psalms 116:12-13).

Along with Jesus’ statement: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me” (Mark 9:37). 

I can’t repay God for my salvation, or my children, or any other gift.  Anything I might offer to God (i.e. my heart or these extensions of it) are all provided by him.  Trevan Douglas, I hold and welcome you into my life in Christ’s name, and through you I am refilled by Christ’s Holy Spirit.

Easy to say now.  Not so easy last night at 2:23 AM when he was a-yellin’!  (His days and nights are mixed, as often happens in newborns.  We’re working on it.)  Having been on both sides of the hotel wall when babies are hollering, I can assure you that the parents are definately more frustrated, tired, and miserable than their neighbors.  Did you know that peer pressure and judgment can seep — unheard and unseen — right through plaster board?  Forgive me: on occasion I do take comfort from the thought that, “we just need to make it through this night, then our paths will probably never cross again.” 

(The baby is also pretty upset about something or other, but at least s/he gets to express it, while the rest of us pay!  Ah well.)

Dr. Scott Gustafson, told the story in one of my seminary classes (and years later in his book, Biblical Amnesia) about a sleepless night when he almost felt the urge to throw his screaming infant son through the wall.  He suddenly heard, almost audibly, that passage from Mark 9:37 — “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me.”  And he suddenly realized he was no longer holding his screaming son, but the screaming Son of God.  I thank him for that story and insight.  I’ve used it as a dad, and it’s amazing how (most of the time) I am suddenly able to smile and take it in a better spirit and humor.  A hollering child in my house is certainly a greater blessing and gift than no hollering child.

We’ve opened the bottle of “Forgotten Apple Wine” I mentioned in July 9th’s post.  Tonight, I lift my (plastic hotel) glass to you, to Trevan, and to God who has allowed us this time together.  God bless.